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Detailed, thorough notes on Comparative Theories based on the suggested Edexcel A-Level textbook
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Comparative TheoriesKey definition:
realism: wide school of thought in international relations theory that believes that world politics
will remain a field of conflict among actors pursuing power
liberalism: wide school of thought in international relations theory that rejects power politics as
the sole outcome of international relations and emphasises mutual benefits and co-operation
security dilemma: theory that any actions by a state intended to increase its security - such as
increasing its military strength - can lead to other states responding with similar measures,
producing increased tensions that create conflict
international anarchy: concept that the world system is leaderless: there is no universal
sovereign or worldwide government
complex interdependence: where states and their fortunes are inextricably tied together
economically, politically, militarily and culturally
global governance: a movement towards the political integration of states in order to address
problems that face more than one state or region
anarchical society and society of states: theory that the states of the world can be members of a
society, despite the anarchical nature of the international system
Main ideas of realism
refers to being realistic, taking a practical, down-to-earth, matter-of-fact approach, with no room
for sentiment or idealism
States as key actors in global politics and the balance of power (state sovereignty)
states are the most important actors in the global system and certain characteristics lead
to conflict
selfish human nature leads to selfish states
root cause of conflict: for classical realists, it is selfish human nature
Thucydides + Morgenthau believe human beings are fundamentally self-centred and
people will pursue their own interests above and beyond those of others
states promote their national interest at the expense of other states = makes sense to act
selfishly in a world where there is uncertainty about the intentions of other states (so no
means of guaranteeing co-operation)
like Prisoner Dilemma, states cannot trust others to act in everyone's interests, so safest
strategy is to expect betrayal
competition rather than co-operation = clash of interests = war
states are rational
states engage in dispassionate calculations of their interests
relations with other states = determined by the relative value of the costs versus the
benefits of such an action
states are unitary actors
some think that the culture and nature of the regime of a state affect its interests
others see interests as fixed, as it is always in states' interests to increase their power and
security
states are amoral
, states do not act according to concepts of justice, rights or religious morality; they act
according to their interests
relations between states are not guided by universal principals
Machiavelli = The Prince = rulers of states should be ruthless in pursing their interests
Schweller = 'a just war is one in the national interest'
states seek power
states are motivated by the pursuit of their national interest, which realists argue is
power
classical realists believe power is good in itself, whilst neo-realists see power as a means
to security (the more power = the better able it is to protect itself)
not known how much power guarantees security = neo-realists argue the safest course is
for the state to become hegemon
power is finite = states must compete with each other for military economic power =
affects the balance of power (zero-sum game)
attacking less power states is less risky = weaker states are aware of their vulnerability so
they try to increase their power (e.g. increase the size of their military or acquiring more
powerful weapons) = security dilemma
imbalance of power = potential for conflict AND balance of power = harmony
states naturally seek a balance of power to curb hegemonic ambitions of more powerful
states
international anarchy and its implications
states are the principal actors in international systems = no higher authority than the
state = cannot be held accountable for their actions of be punished
international system = like Hobbes' state of nature = states can act with impunity (exempt
from punishment) = international anarchy
'state of nature' = before establishment of society and government = Hobbes' Leviathan =
war of 'every man against every man' = no rules and nobody in a position to enforce them
= individuals are free to do as they will = life is 'nasty, brutish and short'
some realists believe that selfish human nature causes states to act selfishly, others
believe that the anarchy of the international system is the real cause of conflict
inevitability of war
logic of realism = war is inevitable = security dilemma, selfish human nature, states'
desire for power, zero-sum nature of power
reasons for the inevitability of war:
1. people are selfish and act accordingly = bound to be disagreement and competition
2. lack of adherence to any moral principle + pursuit of power = bound to lead to
misunderstandings and disharmony
3. the limited amount of power means all states power a threat; Schweller = there is 'always
the danger of war lurking in the background'
security dilemma
security dilemma = actions that one state takes to increase its security cause other states
to follow, increasing the likelihood of conflict
balance of power = rarely achieved = one exception is the Cold War where the USA and
Soviet Union dominated international relations
mostly states find themselves in a competitive struggle for power
as all states possess some military offensive capability, the temptation is to increase that
capability so as to increase their power and security = self-defeating as other states
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